Philonotis sphaerocarpa

(Hedwig) Bridel

Bryol. Univ. 2: 25. 1827.

Illustrated
Basionym: Mnium sphaerocarpon Hedwig Sp. Musc. Frond., 197. 1801 (as sphaericarpon)
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 28. Treatment on page 109. Mentioned on page 107.

Plants large, in dense tufts, yellowish, rufous proximally. Stems 1–3 (–6) cm, erect, simple or 2-fid, tomentose proximally. Leaves erect, straight or somewhat homomallous when dry, erect-spreading when moist, lanceolate, 1.2–2 mm; margins strongly revolute, sharply serrulate throughout, teeth paired but often appearing in groups of 3 or 4 because of strongly revolute margins; apex acuminate; costa long-excurrent, distal abaxial surface scabrous; laminal cells quadrate to rectangular, less than 5: 1, prorulose at distal ends, prorulae conspicuous, many; basal-cells rectangular, 12–25 × 6–8 µm; medial and distal cells narrowly oblong, 18–35 × 3–5 µm. Specialized asexual reproduction absent. Sexual condition dioicous; perigonia gemmiform. Sporophytes unknown.


Habitat: Open soil, road banks
Elevation: low elevations (10-100 m)

Distribution

V28 171-distribution-map.gif

Ala., Fla., La., Mexico, West Indies, Central America, n South America

Discussion

Philonotis sphaerocarpa is identified by its long-excurrent, scabrous costa, strongly revolute leaf margin, and laminal cells bearing prominent prorulae especially on the adaxial side. While not uncommon in the tropical portion of its range, the species is relatively rare in the flora area.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.
... more about "Philonotis sphaerocarpa"
acuminate +
Dana G. Griffin III +
(Hedwig) Bridel +
rectangular +
6um +  and 8um +
enlarged +
Mnium sphaerocarpon +
cucullate +
inclined +, horizontal +  and erect +
globose +  and ovoid +
appendiculate +
rudimentary +
long-excurrent +
subpercurrent +
with centric papilla +  and smooth +
subquadrate;oblong or linear +
Ala. +, Fla. +, La. +, Mexico +, West Indies +, Central America +  and n South America +
low elevations (10-100 m) +
yellowish;pale-brown +
dark red;reddish-brown +
Open soil, road banks +
smooth +, papillose +  and mammillose +
1-stratose +  and secund +
somewhat +  and straight +
erect-spreading;erect +
lanceolate +
0.12 cm1.2 mm <br />0.0012 m <br /> (0.2 cm2 mm <br />0.002 m <br />) +
revolute +  and plane +
dioicous +, sexual +  and asexual +
blunt +  and mammillate or bluntly apiculate +
clavate +  and filiform +
Bryol. Univ. +
papillose +
distinct +
5 +  and many +
curved +, flexuose +  and straight +
elongate +
Illustrated +
spheric;reniform +
3 cm30 mm <br />0.03 m <br /> (6 cm60 mm <br />0.06 m <br />) +
1 cm10 mm <br />0.01 m <br /> (3 cm30 mm <br />0.03 m <br />) +
Bartramidula +
Philonotis sphaerocarpa +
Philonotis +
species +
intermediate +
specialized +
synoicous +, autoicous +, dioicous +  and sexual +
enlarged +
differentiated +
thin +  and thick +
rufous +  and yellowish +